ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Kelly Kocher, sophomore pitcher on the Nazareth softball team, has been named Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the seven-day period that ended March 21.

A native of Victor, N.Y. and a graduate of Victor High School, Kocher had 57 strikeouts in 27 innings over four games as Nazareth opened its 2010 season at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. She had her second career no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in a 2-0 win over Skidmore. She came within two outs of throwing a second no-hitter, but surrendered just a seventh-inning single in a 6-0 win over Centenary.

Kocher has a 3-2 record overall with a 1.23 earned run average with 72 strikeouts in 34 innings. Nazareth plays again Mach 31 at home against Brockport.